The Bombay High Court reviews Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) enforcement actions against multiple businesses, including Cipla and several food establishments. The court challenges the FDA’s approach on grounds related to due process and proportionality, and it grants relief in some matters.
According to reports, the court questions whether the FDA’s actions follow natural justice and whether they are overly rigid or disproportionate to the issues raised. In response to the court’s directions, the Maharashtra FDA withdraws certain orders tied to Cipla and eateries linked to the Mumbai Cricket Association. The FDA also reinstates Cipla’s drug sale licence and lifts suspension affecting the restaurants, based on what outlets describe as the court’s findings.
Across coverage, the key common thread is the court’s scrutiny of enforcement decision-making and its concern that businesses are not given appropriate procedural fairness. Outlets also describe the court directing the FDA to exercise due diligence and to reassess enforcement strategies in light of the court’s observations, while noting that some earlier relief is implemented through the withdrawal of orders rather than a blanket ruling on all enforcement actions.
